Word and Spirit Institute

Church Polity 101 Part 2: The Offices
2023-03-01 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Toronto) | Online Webinar
Church Polity 101
– An Introduction to Reformed Church Government –
Part 2 of 4: The Offices
In this session most of the first section of the Church Order will be covered. Some of the topics reviewed are: the calling to the office, a Biblical way of how the offices of minister, elder, and deacon are exercised, and what the relationship between the offices is.
This is the part 2 of four classes of the Church Polity 101 course. The 3rd and 4th sessions of the course will be taught on April 5 and April 19, 2023. Registration fee for all four sessions is $100.
If you missed the first session and still want to register, please contact the Word and Spirit Institute by emailing wsinstitute@outlook.com

Church Polity 101 Part 1: Orientation
2023-02-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Online Webinar
Church Polity 101
– An Introduction to Reformed Church Government –
Part 1 of 4: Orientation
In this orientation session topics will be discussed such as how the church order has been derived from Scripture, a brief history of the Reformed Church polity, how church law can be read and applied and the hermeneutics behind this church polity, the character of Dort Polity as well as resources for the practice of Reformed polity.
This is the part 1 of four classes of the Church Polity 101 course. The other sessions of the course will be taught on March 1, April 5 and April 19, 2023. Registration fee for all four sessions is $100.
To register for the course, please fill out the registration form and email it to wsinstitute@outlook.com

Church Liturgy Class 4 Music in Worship and Other Special Topics
2022-11-22 20:00 - 22:00 | Online Webinar
In part 4 of the course, we will take a closer look at principles for selecting music that is suitable for worship as well as debates regarding psalm-singing and things to consider in the selection of an order of worship. Time-permitting, other select topics may be addressed (to be determined).

Church Liturgy Class 3 The Order of Worship (continued)
2022-11-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Online Webinar
Part 3 of the course is a continuation of part 2. We will compare different orders of worship used in Reformed churches. This consists of an examination of the different elements of a worship service, such as the call to worship, the use of the 10 commandments, congregational participation, the place of sacraments, etc.

Church Liturgy Class 2 Biblical Foundations and the Order of Worship
2022-11-08 20:00 - 22:00 | Online Webinar
In part 2 of the course, the regulative principle of worship as formulated in the Reformed confessions will be considered. Included in this, is an overview of how Christian churches use the Bible to govern their worship, and how the Biblical teaching is used to determine the content and order of worship.

Church Liturgy Class 1 Biblical Foundations of Christian Worship
2022-11-01 20:00 - 22:00 | Online Webinar
In this part of the course, a general consideration of the centrality of worship in the Christian life will be discussed. This includes, an overview of whom, why, when, where, and how we worship.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN MINISTRY FOR THE AGING COURSE 7: Cultural Concerns, Global Aging, Religious Diversity & Gender
2021-11-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Many are saying: “Global aging is a defining phenomenon of the 21st century”. It certainly is a major global trend. The GTA is a microcosm of the world. We live in a multicultural and multi-religious region. The challenge for us, therefore, is both local and global, and it will only increase. The World Health Organization forecasts the elderly population (over 60 years of age) to grow from an estimated 680 million people in 2011 to 2 billion by 2050 with those over 60 outnumbering those under 15. This historically unprecedented situation is already impacting all dimensions of life, including the economic, social, and political spheres. This course aims to help prepare us to exercise what the Bible calls “true religion” (Ja 1:27), honouring the aged amongst us as we honour our parents (Ex 20; Lev 19:32; Mat 15; Eph 6; 1 Tim 5). Honour, understood biblically, is holistic and integrated, just as human beings are holistically integrated with their histories, cultures, languages, families, religions, and personal life stages. To engage positively and wisely we must acknowledge these real differences in our neighbourhoods and institutions of care and learn to express our care with understanding and respect. We will look together at some of the barriers and opportunities for more sensitive, compassionate, and fruitful ministries of care.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN MINISTRY FOR THE AGING – COURSE 6; Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
2021-10-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
In this course, we will discuss opportunities to serve with the aging living in our own neighborhoods and throughout our communities. Over 90% of the elderly live in their own homes or with their own families; 2/3 of those over 85 live in their own homes or with family. 85% of those with dementia live in the community and not in institutions. Further, loneliness among seniors in Canada is recognized as “an epidemic”: 1.4 million Canadians report feeling lonely. COVID has increased this number. 80% of the seniors ages 80 years and over say that they feel lonely up to 80% of the time. This course provides and overview of this situation, a profile of those in our communities, ans considers how we might respond.

CHURCH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM course 2: Home visitation: Tending the Sheep - Called to Care for God’s Flock
2021-09-18 11:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
This course is a second of the 8 modules dealing with leadership in the church and does build on the previous course, A Theology of Church Leadership (however participation in course 1 is not required in order to attend course 2). The course gives further insights into leadership and more specifically, the task of caring for those in our wards. This course is designed to be practical, so that you can take the elements that you learn and apply them to the situations that you are in at the moment.
The course will begin with an in depth look at the qualifications of the elder as put forward by Peter in 1 Peter 5 and Paul in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. With these passages as background and foundation for the work of an elder, the next three lectures will flesh out a model of caring for those in our ward, based on the structure of our Lord’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN MINISTRY FOR THE AGING - COURSE 5 Reaching out: Institutional Settings: Families and Caregivers for Seniors
2021-09-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 5 – part 1 – Institutional Settings: Families and Caregivers of Seniors
In this course opportunities to serve the aging already abound, including the frailest elderly living in institutions, either Long Term Care or Retirement Homes, will be discussed. Most likely these opportunities will only increase in the coming years. Presently, more than 50% of the residents of LTC homes are 85+ with more than ⅓ of all Canadians 85+ living in such homes. Further, those 85+ are the fastest growing segment of the senior population with the most rapid increases in the number and proportion of persons 85+ to occur between 2030 and 2050, when the baby boomer cohort reaches 85+. Those 85+ will almost equal those under 20 sometime in the 2030s. This course provides an overview of these institutions, the profile of the residents, and considers how we might respond.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN MINISTRY FOR THE AGING - COURSE 4 DEBRIEFING SESSION Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
2021-08-07 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 4– Debriefing Session– Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
In this debriefing session on August 7, 2021, students will discuss and share their reading, research and practicum experiences in an in-class discussion.

Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 4 – Principles & Practices of Spiritual Care II (Online part 1)
2021-07-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Course 4:
Principles & Practices of Spiritual Care II

Online part 1: July 17, 2021
Online part 2: July 24, 2021
Debriefing session: August 7, 2021
Description:
Already in Course #2 we introduced Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for the Aging, looking especially at Honour, Visitation, and Listening. This Course (#7) is Part 2 of Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for the Aging. Having familiarized ourselves with the joys and challenges of various stages of aging, as well as the situations in which the aging are living, including various institutions (LTC and Retirement) and also the aging living in their own homes, communities, and/or neighbourhoods, we now revisit Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care. We will again attend to Listening, as it is a major key for all ministries, indeed, all relationships. We will also look at two special challenges for the Spiritual Care for the Aging, Dementia and Palliative Care/Death & Dying.
“The righteous … flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright”
(Psalm 92).
Facilitators:
Dr. Tom McCormick
Tom McCormick enjoys the interrelationships among several disciplines. He has a BA in philosophy and mathematics, an MA in Bible (Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia), a PhD in Humanities (Linguistics & Philosophy, University of Texas, Arlington), and a PhD in Philosophy (Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto). Tom also integrates praxis with thought, serving as a chaplain at Long Term & Residential Care Homes, teaching ESL, helping coordinate services for immigrants, assisting minority language groups overseas with literacy, development, and Bible translation, while helping to train consultants and literacy workers. He has taught mathematics, linguistics, reading theory, orthography design, philosophy, theology, education, qualitative research methods, and language acquisition. His books include Meditation: a Practical Guide to a Spiritual Discipline; 2 books on Nursing Home Ministry; Theories of Reading in Dialogue; Science, Imagination and God; Towards a Christian Philosophy; The Field and the Spirit; Meditation: a Biblical Study. Tom has been working with those in Long Term Care Nursing Homes for more than 40 years and has taught at both graduate and undergraduate institutions, including conducting workshops both in North America and overseas.
FEES
Conference attendance – There will be a $50 fee for attending the conferences only.
Audit – There will be a $100 fee for auditing the module.
Certificate Level – There will be a $150 fee for each module or $750 if preregistered for the entire program ($650 for chaplains).
Bachelors/Masters Level – Please contact the Word and Spirit Institute for tuition of Bachelor and Masters courses
There will an additional cost for the purchase of required reading material.
COURSE SCHEDULE

Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (I)
Aging, Stages of Human Development, and Spirituality
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
Reaching out: Institutional settings; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Cultural, Gender, and Religious Diversity; Global Aging

Interested?
Please e-mail wsinstitute@outlook.com for information, to register and/or to receive a course syllabus

Long Term Care Home Ministries in North America: Caring as Christians in the 'Covid Era'
2021-07-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Long Term Care Homes have been in the news a lot these COVID-days. There have been such headlines as “COVID-19 highlights Canada’s care home crisis” and “Restoring trust: COVID-19 and the future of long-term care in Canada.” Even before COVID there was a huge need in LTC Homes: more than 115,000 people with their families receive care and support in Ontario’s 636 long-term care homes every year.

To facilitate a caring response of Christian Churches we will present a FREE Webinar on July 10, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. The restrictions for caring Christian ministry from outside the homes have been lifted more south of the border than as yet in Ontario. We are inviting two chaplains from Ohio who are friends and colleagues to join us to share their experiences now that they have been allowed once again to continue their services in LTC Homes. They have found some significant changes from their pre-COVID ministries.

Tom McCormick, Chaplain and lead facilitator for the Word & Spirit Program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING will be hosting Chaplain Bill Goodrich, President & Founder of God Cares Ministry, and Chaplain Chris Herman, founder with his wife Carol, of St. Lazarus Mission.
If you wish to register for this webinar, please click HERE Further details can be found at the Word & Spirit Website, https://www.wsinstitute.ca

Ministry for the Aging Course 3: Aging, Stages of Human Development and Spirituality - Debriefing Session -
2021-07-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 3 – Debriefing Session– Aging, Stages of Human Development and Spirituality
In this debriefing session on July 3, 2021, students will discuss and share their reading, research and practicum experiences in an in-class discussion.

Covid, Mental Health, and Aging: Opportunity... and Responsibility?
2021-06-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Online Webinar
COVID, MENTAL HEALTH, AND AGING: OPPORTUNITY…AND RESPONSIBILITY?
A Free Webinar – June 29, 2021; 7-9 PM EDT via Zoom

We are in the midst of a COVID pandemic, but also ‘serious mental health crises’ because of the pandemic. One out of every 10 people now reports having an unmet mental health care need; 7 out of 10 Ontarians think there will be a ‘serious mental health crisis’ because of the pandemic. “We’re going to see this level of trauma for many years,” said the executive director of trauma healing at the American Bible Society (ABS). Many experts confirm that coronavirus isolation is taking a toll on mental health of seniors, as well as their caregivers. Almost 38% of Canadians reported that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they experienced feelings of loneliness or isolation. This free Webinar will introduce the mental health crisis which is, no doubt, all around and perhaps within, each of us. We will then focus on LONELINESS in this first webinar. Our aim is both to understand and to consider biblical responses. We are also preparing to hold a series of webinars, as appropriate, on other relevant mental health topics related to Covid and Aging, including Grief, Anxiety, and Depression.
Presenters include: Mike Krabbendam, who has been involved with health care provision for over 45 years, and currently holds the position of Administrator / DOC at Manoah Manor, Canadian Reformed Senior Citizens Home, Langley, BC. He is trained as both a general and psychiatric nurse; Rev Matthew VanLuik, pastor of the Grace Canadian Reformed Church in Brampton, Ontario; Chaplain Chris Herman, who founded http://lazarusmission.org/, which plants churches in Nursing Homes. Chris serves with the Reformed Episcopal Church in the Dayton, Ohio area; and Tom McCormick, who is directing the Word and Spirit Institute’s Certificate Program in Ministries for the Aging.
Register in advance for this meeting by emailing: wsinstitute@outlook.com
Deadline for registering – June 28th, 12 noon EDT.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a short survey along with ZOOM link.
Further information at www. https://www.wsinstitute.ca/

Ministry for the Aging; Course 3 (part 2) Aging, Stages of Human Development and Spirituality
2021-06-26 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Course 3 (Online courses are offered via two 2-3 hour online sessions)

Part 1: June 19, 2021
Part 2: June 26, 2021
Debrief: July 3, 2021
Aging, Stages of Human Development and Spirituality
Description:
We naturally recognize youth and adolescence as special periods of our lives, each with unique challenges, responsibilities and opportunities. Whether we consider the second half of life or the last third, there are further unique challenge for each of us. Aging presents ambiguities and tensions: between fruition and decline; between satisfactions and losses; between failures, regrets, “could have been”s, and unlived dreams…and the glorious fulfillment of the Promises of God in Christ Jesus (Revelation 21-22). We undoubtedly have a unique message and a unique hope to live and to share. To care for the aging means we each must also care for the unique old man or woman slowing awakening within us. In this course, we look together at the unique privileges, challenges, and opportunities both for our own growth and for ministry, as we explore the spiritual and personal challenges of the human aging process.
“The righteous … flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright”
(Psalm 92).
Facilitators:
Dr. Tom McCormick
This course is the third course out of 7 courses with the option to obtain a Certificate in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING
FEES
There is one fee, for all the parts of this course (part 1, part 2 and the debriefing session)
Audit – There will be a $100 fee for auditing the course
Certificate Level – There will be a $150 fee for each course or $750 for the program if preregistered ($650 for Chaplains).
Bachelors/Masters Level – Please contact the Word and Spirit Institute for tuition of Bachelor and Masters Courses.
There will an additional cost for the purchase of required reading material.
COURSE SCHEDULE

Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (I)
Aging, Stages of Human Development, and Spirituality
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
Reaching out: Institutional settings; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Cultural, Gender, and Religious Diversity; Global Aging

Interested?
Please e-mail wsinstitute@outlook.com for more information, to register and/or to receive a course-syllabus

Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 3 (Part 1) - Aging; Stages of Human Development and Spirituality
2021-06-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar

Debriefing session Course 2: Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Elderly (I)
2021-06-05 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 1 – Debriefing Session– Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
In this debriefing session on June 5, 2021, students will discuss and share their reading, research and practicum experiences in an in-class discussion.

Ministry for the Aging Course 2 Part 2 Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Elderly
2021-05-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
THE CERTIFICATE COURSES WILL BE OFFERED AS TWO 2-3 HOUR ONLINE SESSIONS INSTEAD OF ONE INITIAL CONFERENCE

Dates:
Part 1: May 15, 2021
Part 2: May 22, 2021
Debriefing Session: June 5, 2021
Course 2: Part 2

Principles & Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors

Description:
Spiritual Care is at the heart of our ministries for and with the aging. In this module we will begin our consideration of the Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for the Aging. We will consider especially the key biblical principles and practices of Honour, Visitation, and Listening, including the understanding and recognition of spiritual needs. Later, in “Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors – II” we will look at two special challenges for the Spiritual Care for the Aging, Dementia and Palliative Care/Death & Dying.
“The righteous … flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright”
(Psalm 92).
Facilitators:
Facilitators:
Dr. Tom McCormick, Chaplain: LTC; Retirement Home.
This course is the second course out of 7 courses with the option to obtain a Certificate in MINISTRY TO THE AGING
FEES
There is one fee for the two parts of the Course:
Audit – There will be a $100 fee for auditing the module (a $50 fee for conference attendance only).
Certificate Level – There will be a $150 fee for each module or a one time fee of $750 if registered for the entire certificate program.
Bachelors/Masters Level – Please contact the Word and Spirit Institute for the tuition structure of Bachelors and Masters programs
There will an additional cost for the purchase of required reading material.
COURSE SCHEDULE

Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (I)
Aging, Stages of Human Development, and Spirituality
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
Reaching out: Institutional settings; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Cultural, Gender, and Religious Diversity; Global Aging

Interested?
Please e-mail wsinstitute@outlook.com for more information, to register and/or to receive a course-syllabus

Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING (online): Course 2 - Part 1: Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors I
2021-05-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
THE CERTIFICATE COURSES WILL BE OFFERED AS TWO 2-3 HOUR ONLINE SESSIONS INSTEAD OF ONE INITIAL CONFERENCE

Dates:
Part 1: May 15, 2021
Part 2: May 22, 2021
Debriefing Session: June 5, 2021
Course 2: Part 1

Principles & Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors

Description:
Spiritual Care is at the heart of our ministries for and with the aging. In this module we will begin our consideration of the Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for the Aging. We will consider especially the key biblical principles and practices of Honour, Visitation, and Listening, including the understanding and recognition of spiritual needs. Later, in “Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors – II” we will look at two special challenges for the Spiritual Care for the Aging, Dementia and Palliative Care/Death & Dying.
“The righteous … flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright”
(Psalm 92).
Facilitators:
Facilitators:
Dr. Tom McCormick, Chaplain: LTC; Retirement Home.
Pastor Matthew H. VanLuik, Director Word and Spirit Ministries.
This course is the second course out of 7 courses with the option to obtain a Certificate in MINISTRY TO THE AGING
FEES
Audit – There will be a $100 fee for auditing the module (a $50 fee for conference attendance only).
Certificate Level – There will be a $150 fee for each module or a one time fee of $750 if registered for the entire certificate program.
Bachelors/Masters Level – Please contact the Word and Spirit Institute for the tuition structure of Bachelors and Masters programs
There will an additional cost for the purchase of required reading material.
COURSE SCHEDULE

Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (I)
Aging, Stages of Human Development, and Spirituality
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
Reaching out: Institutional settings; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Cultural, Gender, and Religious Diversity; Global Aging

Interested?
Please e-mail wsinstitute@outlook.com for more information, to register and/or to receive a course-syllabus

Debriefing Session Ministry for the Aging Course 1 (Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
2021-05-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 1 – Debriefing Session– Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
In this debriefing session on May 1, 2021, students will discuss and share their reading, research and practicum experiences in an in-class discussion.

Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 1 - part 2 - Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
2021-04-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Course 1 Part 2 (2nd part of the Online version of this course, offered on April 17, 2021; Debrief session May 1, 2021)
Demographic Realities of Ministries with the Aging…with a Missional Action Plan (Feb. 13, 2021)
Description:
Opportunities to serve with the aging already abound, including the elderly living in our own neighbourhoods and throughout our communities. The vast majority (90+%) live in their own homes or with their own families; 2/3 of those over 85 live in their own homes or with their families. 85% of those with dementia live in the communities (not in institutions). Further, loneliness in Canadian seniors is widely recognized as “an epidemic”: “1.4 million elderly Canadians report feeling lonely”, “while 80 years and older say that up to 80 per cent of the time they feel lonely” (here). How, though, shall we go about understanding aging, our own as well as “ministries with the aging”*? This course begins our considerations for orienting both our understanding and our practices with attention to biblical foundations. We will look at a biblical view of the elderly & aging (especially the privileges promised as well as the special challenges), the biblical opportunities & responsibilities of the elderly, the church’s responsibility toward the elderly, as well as pastoral & ministry applications including an examination of the motives and privileges for ministries with the aging. In addition to our consideration of biblical foundations both in class and via the readings, each student will begin a practical exploration of the opportunities in your church and community.
*(Notice we say “with”, not “for”; we are in this together.)
“The righteous … flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright”
(Psalm 92).
Facilitators:
Dr. Tom McCormick and Rev. Matthew VanLuik
This course is the first course out of 7 courses with the option to obtain a Certificate in MINISTRY TO THE AGING
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the course will be offered in 2 (two) online sessions on April 10 and 17, 2021; debriefing session: May 1, 2021
FEES
This is session 2 of the online course; there is one fee for both sessions. These fees are:
Conference attendance – There will be a $50 fee for those who ONLY attend the conference
Audit – There will be a $100 fee for auditing the module.
Certificate Level – There will be a $150 fee for each module 0r $750 if preregistered for the entire program ($650 for chaplains)
Bachelors/Masters Level – Please contact the Word and Spirit Institute for tuition of Bachelor and Masters courses.
There will an additional cost for the purchase of required reading material.
COURSE SCHEDULE

Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (I)
Aging, Stages of Human Development, and Spirituality
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
Reaching out: Institutional settings; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Cultural, Gender, and Religious Diversity; Global Aging

Interested?
Please e-mail wsinstitute@outlook.com to register and/or receive the Course-Syllabus

Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 1 - Part 1 - Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
2021-04-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Course 1 (Online version offered in two parts on April 10 and 17, 2021; Debriefing session May 1, 2021)
Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging (April 10, 2021); Demographic Realities of Ministries with the Aging…with a Missional Action Plan (April 17, 2021)
Description:
Opportunities to serve with the aging already abound, including the elderly living in our own neighbourhoods and throughout our communities. The vast majority (90+%) live in their own homes or with their own families; 2/3 of those over 85 live in their own homes or with their families. 85% of those with dementia live in the communities (not in institutions). Further, loneliness in Canadian seniors is widely recognized as “an epidemic”: “1.4 million elderly Canadians report feeling lonely”, “while 80 years and older say that up to 80 per cent of the time they feel lonely” (here). How, though, shall we go about understanding aging, our own as well as “ministries with the aging”*? This course begins our considerations for orienting both our understanding and our practices with attention to biblical foundations. We will look at a biblical view of the elderly & aging (especially the privileges promised as well as the special challenges), the biblical opportunities & responsibilities of the elderly, the church’s responsibility toward the elderly, as well as pastoral & ministry applications including an examination of the motives and privileges for ministries with the aging. In addition to our consideration of biblical foundations both in class and via the readings, each student will begin a practical exploration of the opportunities in your church and community.
*(Notice we say “with”, not “for”; we are in this together.)
“The righteous … flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright”
(Psalm 92).
Facilitators:
Dr. Tom McCormick and Rev. Matthew VanLuik
This course is the first course out of 7 courses with the option to obtain a Certificate in MINISTRY TO THE AGING
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the course will be offered in 2 (two) online sessions on April 10 and 17, 2021; the debriefing session will be held on May 1, 2021
FEES
Conference attendance – There will be a $50 fee for those who ONLY attend the conference
Audit – There will be a $100 fee for auditing the module.
Certificate Level – There will be a $150 fee for each module 0r $750 if preregistered for the entire program ($650 for chaplains)
Bachelors/Masters Level – Please contact the Word and Spirit Institute for tuition of Bachelor and Masters courses.
There will an additional cost for the purchase of required reading material.
COURSE SCHEDULE

Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (I)
Aging, Stages of Human Development, and Spirituality
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
Reaching out: Institutional settings; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Cultural, Gender, and Religious Diversity; Global Aging

Interested?
Please e-mail wsinstitute@outlook.com to register and/or receive the Course-syllabus

WEBINAR: Christmas, COVID and Eldercare
2020-12-05 10:00 - 12:00 | WEBINAR
FREE WEBINAR: “CHRISTMAS, COVID, AND ELDERCARE“
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives have been changed in 2020. There has been a lot of anxiety and worries especially among the elderly, the isolated, the vulnerable and the lonely. In a few weeks, we will be celebrating the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ again. This year’s Christmas will also be celebrated differently than we have ever done before, which again, will affect the isolated elderly, the vulnerable and lonely.
The Webinar: CHRISTMAS, COVID, AND ELDERCARE seeks to discuss and address some alternative ways to celebrate Christmas in the Time of COVID.
To make this Webinar as useful as possible, please CLICK HERE to fill our our short survey to let us know what you have done already for the elderly and what you hope to do around Christmas time as well as other ideas and/or questions to discuss. Our panel of experts in the field of Ministry to and with the Elderly will try to discuss as many or your ideas and questions as possible.
For more information about the webinar or to register, please email the Word and Spirit Institute at: wsinstitute@outlook.com
Certificate Program MINISTRY FOR THE AGING
This Certificate Program is meant for all who are involved with and interested in eldercare. In the courses, a Christian perspective of aging with it’s joys and struggles, as well as one’s own aging and how to deal with one’s own emotions, joys and struggles while caring for elderly (grand)parents is discussed. For more information about the Certificate Program “Ministry for the Aging”, please CLICK HERE

POSTPONED!!! Mini-conference: Transforming Lives with Music and Art
2020-05-23 09:00 - 14:00 | Bethel Canadian Reformed Church, 11251 Bayview Ave, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4S 1L8, Canada
DUE TO THE CLOSURES AS RESULT OF THE SPREADING CORONA-VIRUS, THE CONFERENCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE. PLEASE CHECK BACK AFTER THE SITUATION STABILIZES.
Transforming Lives with Music and Art
Transforming Lives with Music and Art is a conference to equip and encourage Christians to use music and art to minister to the older population. Through workshops, sharing and demonstrations, we hope to show the power of music and art to enhance well-being, re-activate memory, combat social isolation and help with re-construction of identity. We explore the why and the how, and invite reflections on the spiritual benefits of music. If you have an interest in music and art, or are curious how music and art can be used in ministries, or want to deepen your understanding and enrich your existing programs, you are very welcome to join us.
Who will be there? Family and professional caregivers, seniors, chaplains, music and art volunteers, musicians, therapists, educators, other professionals, or anyone with an interest in music and art. No prior experience necessary.

Date: May 23rd, 2020 (Saturday)
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (registration starts at 9:00 a.m.)
Lunch: Please bring your own brown bag lunch.
Venue: Bethel Canadian Reformed Church, 11251 Bayview Ave, Richmond Hill (North of Elgin Mills Road East on the East side); map
Parking: Plenty of parking at the church premise available.
Cost: $15 (includes tea, coffee and light refreshments); pay at the door – cash only
Registration: Click here to fill in a simple form.
Questions? Contact blessedmelodymakers@gmail.com

[Include poster]
Schedule of the Day:
9:00-9:30 Registration
9:30-9:45 Introduction and Worship
9:45-10:45 Workshop: “Music, Memory and Meaning” by Bev Foster
10:45-11:05 Inspirational Music Ministries for Seniors (nursing homes) – Stella Chung
11:05-11:25 Inspirational Music Ministries for Seniors (adult day program) – Peggy Peacock
11:25-11:45 Inspirational Music Ministries for Seniors (respite program) – Art and Coby Jaarsma
11:45-12:30 Lunch and Networking
12:30-1:30 Workshop: “Visual Creativity, Cognition and Well-Being” by Nicole Balan
1:30-1:50 Inspirational Music Ministries for Seniors (dementia unit) – Ron Wilson and Tom McCormick
1:50-2:00 Closing

Workshop Descriptors and Presenters Bios
Music, Memory and Meaning
Music accompanies us on our journey and connects us to people, places and events in our lives. It is cross-coded into life passages. Music connects us to our memories and our lived experiences especially as we grow older. This workshop explores how and why we remember music and in particular, how songs connect us through shared feelings, events and ideas that have both cultural, spiritual and personal meanings.

Presenter: Bev Foster. Bev Foster is the Founder and Executive Director of the Room 217 Foundation, an organization dedicated to music and care. She is an experienced musician and worship leader who speaks and writes extensively on the power of music, especially in life limiting situations. Her passion for music enhancing quality of life is contagious.

Visual Creativity, Cognition and Well-Being
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Pablo Picasso
“I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” Georgia O’Keeffe.
Mark-making, using colour, shape, pressure, and various media provides opportunities to process emotions, sensations, and thoughts beyond words. Zeller (2020) speaks about viewing visual images and verbalizing associations providing opportunities for socializing, focusing and mental processing. This workshop explores the benefits of art therapy with elders and their caregivers, as well as provides some experiential opportunities for participants to experience their own creative process. It also discusses some of the results of a major project with elders in a long term care residence creating their own visual biography legacy projects.
Presenter: Nicole Balan. Nicole Balan is currently training at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI). She has been working with elders in two long term care / retirement residences. Her art therapy major project draws upon reminiscence therapy, narrative therapy, and the spiritual autobiography literature, inviting elders to create visual images, colours and shapes through the decades of their lives, creating a Life Book as a legacy item. Nicole is a graduate of Tyndale Seminary, as well as the Toronto Institute of Relational Psychotherapy. She is active in various lay ministries, enjoys creative pursuits, and is a life-long learner.

Inspirational Music Ministries for Seniors
Four groups of presenters will share their experience in using music in their ministries, including demonstrating with music. The contexts include an Adult Day Program, nursing homes, and a monthly program for the seniors in the county on a respite day for the caregivers. The kinds of music used vary. Come and learn from one another and offer your ideas.
Stella Chung is a family caregiver, a soprano and a spiritual director. She is passionate about sharing the love of God through music with those in need of blessings and encouragements. Having conducted a research on seniors, offered music programs at nursing homes for five years and ministered to her dying father with music, Stella understands the power of music in uplifting the spirit of the lonely, the sick and the dying. To Stella, music is beyond therapeutic; it is God’s unspoken language of love which transcends all differences in race and religion.
Peggy Peacock grew up in Toronto. She has a diploma and a degree in Social Services and Sociology. Soon after graduation, she volunteered for 2 years on a committee at Humbervale Day Centre, which later became Etobicoke Support Services (ESS), an agency working to support seniors in their own homes and community. Peggy worked in the Adult Day Centre of ESS as a Program Co-ordinator for 29 years until she retired in 2019. She was involved in planning and implementing various programs in ESS including several music programs. Peggy strongly believes in the power of music for the well-being of the senior population.
Coby and Art Jaarsma. Coby took piano lessons in her youth, and enjoys playing regularly for pleasure at home. She accompanies the church organist in leading the singing at church services. Art has always loved music, and has been playing the accordion for pleasure since his teenage years. His playing is mainly self-taught.
Art and Coby were involved in a ministry called “Friendship” for mentally challenged adults for about 15 years, and Art would accompany the enthusiastic singing with the accordion. “Friendship” has been discontinued, and Art and Coby are now leading a sing-along group once a month for seniors who are in the beginning stages of dementia. They will share about this program as well as demonstrate some of what they do.
Ron Wilson is an experienced pianist specializing in addling lively rhythms to traditional hymns. He started leading worship and playing music in a monthly service in the local long term care home soon after he moved to the Bradford area. He met Tom McCormick in 2007 and soon they began ministering together, including regularly at Elginwood Long Term Care for the past 10 years, and currently at Oak Ridges Retirement Community. Ron has a collection of recordings of hymns that he played and sang made available on his website http://www.becruciform.com/. Ron is also a chaplain at Eagle Terrace Long Term Care Home in Newmarket.
Tom McCormick has ministered for over 40 years in Nursing Homes, and has been a chaplain in both a Long Term Care Home and a Retirement Community. In the 1980’s he published a manual for training others. In 2003 he coauthored Nursing Home Ministries. Currently he is facilitating a program in Ministries for the Ageing. Tom has served as an overseas missionary in Peru, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon, India, and China. He lives near Toronto, Canada, while teaching part-time at Tyndale Seminary.
Through a combination of music, song, stories, Scripture, prayer, and in some cases, dance, Ron and Tom have been privileged to participate in leading worship as well as hymn sings. Together they will demonstrate some of what they have done and share lessons they have learned.
This conference is organized by Blessed Melody Music Ministry and sponsored by the Word and Spirit Institute.

POSTPONED!!! Worshiping and Visiting with Elderly
2020-03-28 09:00 - 16:00 | Grace Christian School, 497 Millgrove Side Road, Millgrove, Ontario, L0R 1V0, Canada
DUE TO THE CLOSURES AS RESULT OF THE SPREADING CORONA-VIRUS, THE CONFERENCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE. PLEASE CHECK BACK AFTER THE SITUATION STABILIZES.

ONE DAY CONFERENCE ABOUT WORSHIPING AND VISITING WITH ELDERLY

Worship of God is an often neglected aspect in the lives of institutionalized elderly. Many elderly were raised in churches, but had to move when they went to an old-age home and lost contact with their pastor and/or church. Others left the church earlier in their life. During the end-stages of life they reflect on their lives and often want to return to the Lord. Their children don’t see the need to bring them to church and they do not have the ability to attend on their own anymore. Yet worship can and should play an important part in their lives just as in ours. Not only can they offer God the praise and honor He deserves, but they can also derive deep satisfaction, joy and peace through worship of Him.
Honoring the elderly inside and outside the church is a Biblical mandate and there is much need for us as churches to organize worship for institutionalized elderly and visit the people we meet at worship gatherings. Many churches see the need and organize worship services in (secular) facilities. Is your church involved? Are your small groups? Are you? But, do we know how? Are we prepared to deal with specific “aging” issues? Where do you start? How to organize worship with elderly? What are things to watch for? How do you visit? Should elders, deacons and ministers get involved? The institutional setting is not the same as a traditional church, and so we must also consider the logistical challenges and practical concerns involved with the institutional context, including following up with those who attend worship services.
To help the church develop, organize and extend worship gatherings and aftercare in Assisted Living and Long Term Care Facilities, Please join us for a ONE-DAY-CONFERENCE ABOUT WORSHIPING AND VISITING WITH ELDERLY. This conference is organized by the Home Mission Committee of Redemption Canadian Reformed Church in Flamborough together with the Word and Spirit Institute (www.wsinstitute.ca). Throughout the day, the use of Scripture and Music will be considered as well as the life situations of residents in Long Term Care.

The main speaker for the day is Dr. Tom McCormick. Tom enjoys the interrelationship between several disciplines. Tom integrates practice with thought which shows in his various ministry related activities. He teaches ESL, helps coordinate services for immigrants and assists minority language groups overseas with Bible translations. As a chaplain, Tom works and has worked at several Long Term Care and Assisted Living facilities. Tom has also written several books on Nursing Home Ministry, Mediation and Christian Philosophy. Dr. McCormick has developed and taught the program “Ministry for the Aging”, a 6-module certificate program that promotes a Biblical approach on all aspects of elderly care. For more information on this program, please visit https://www.wsinstitute.ca/certificate-program-in-ministry-for-the-aging/ Furthermore, Tom has organized and conducted many conferences, workshops and college/university courses about Christian care for elderly. As a life-long learner, he has acquired a BA in philosophy and mathematics, an MA in Bible (Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia), a PhD in Humanities (Linguistics & Philosophy, University of Texas, Arlington), and a PhD in Philosophy (Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto).

THE CONFERENCE: WORSHIPING AND VISITING WITH ELDERLY
Date: Saturday March 28, 2020 9-4 (doors open at 8.30 for coffee and registration)
Place: Grace Christian School, 497 Millgrove Side Rd. Millgrove, ON L0R 1V0
Coffee, tea and lunch included (a free will offering will be accepted to offset the cost of the day)
Interested? Please RSVP by March 25 by emailing wsinstitute@outlook.ca or visit our fill out the form on our “contact us” page. Please include any dietary restrictions
Walk-ins will be accepted

Organized by:

The Home mission Committee Redemption Canadian Reformed Church of Flamborough

The Word and Spirit Institute

Leadership Program - Theology of Christian Leadership
2020-01-25 | Grace Christian School, 497 Millgrove Side Road, Millgrove, Ontario, L0R 1V0, Canada
Please visit the page describing the Leadership Program for more information about the certificate course in Church Leadership and stay tuned for more information about the session: Theology of Christian Leadership

Ministry for the aging Session II / one-day/evening conferences
2019-10-19 | Grace Christian School, 497 Millgrove Side Road, Millgrove, Ontario, L0R 1V0, Canada
In 2019, a new session of the program “Ministry for the Aging will be started for new students and students who missed courses, can complete these courses at that time. We hope to be able to start the program after the summer again, however, as of now, the date for the start of this program is tentative as of yet. The program will start when enough students are enrolled. Those who have shown interest will receive an email in due time.
Please find more information about the program here: https://www.wsinstitute.ca/certificate-program-in-ministry-for-the-aging/
As of yet, we do not have enough students to warrant a new course program, instead, a new initiative is developed for those interested in Ministry for the Aging.
As early as October, informative and educational one-day and/or one-evening sessions will be organized in Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton and/or the Niagara Peninsula.
Please stay tuned for more information and/or
fill out the form on the Contact us page

Aging: The Final Frontier
2019-03-30 08:15 - 15:30 | 105Gibson Centre, 105 Gibson Drive, Markham,, ONTARIO, L3R 3K7, Canada
Aging: The Final Frontier is a one-day conference about Aging.
It attempts to bring together a wide spectrum of concerns from looking at one’s own aging, the church’s roles in looking after the elderly, to perspectives and models in ministering to the elderly. Ultimately, we are looking at discipleship in Christ and the goal is spiritual maturity. The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Paul T. P. Wong and he will be talking about Spirituality and Successful Aging.
The workshops cover 6 different tracks:
i. Disruptions: Dementia and Disability;
ii. Care for the Caregivers;
iii. Re-framing Aging;
iv. Ministering and the Aging;
v. Outreach: Local;
vi. Outreach: Glocal (Global / Local).

The conference is open to anyone who is interested in issues surrounding aging, whether their own or that of others around them. Health care workers, pastors, chaplains and family caregivers may be particularly interested.

Certificate program in MINISTRY FOR THE AGING: Course 7 – Cultural Concerns, Global Aging, Religious Diversity & Gender
2019-02-02 09:00 - 16:00 | Bethel Canadian Reformed Church, 11251 Bayview Ave, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4S 1L8, Canada
Course 7:
Cultural Concerns, Global Aging, Religious Diversity & Gender

Description:
Many are saying: “Global aging is a defining phenomenon of the 21st century”. It certainly is a major global trend. The GTA is a microcosm of the world. We live in a multicultural and multi-religious region. The challenge for us, therefore, is both local and global, and it will only increase. The World Health Organization forecasts the elderly population (over 60 years of age) to grow from an estimated 680 million people in 2011 to 2 billion by 2050 with those over 60 outnumbering those under 15. This historically unprecedented situation is already impacting all dimensions of life, including the economic, social, and political spheres. This course aims to help prepare us to exercise what the Bible calls “true religion” (Ja 1:27), honouring the aged amongst us as we honour our parents (Ex 20; Lev 19:32; Mat 15; Eph 6; 1 Tim 5). Honour, understood biblically, is holistic and integrated, just as human beings are holistically integrated with their histories, cultures, languages, families, religions, and personal life stages. To engage positively and wisely we must acknowledge these real differences in our neighbourhoods and institutions of care and learn to express our care with understanding and respect. We will look together at some of the barriers and opportunities for more sensitive, compassionate, and fruitful ministries of care.
“The righteous … flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the LORD is upright”
(Psalm 92).
Facilitators:
Dr. Tom McCormick
Tom McCormick enjoys the interrelationships among several disciplines. He has a BA in philosophy and mathematics, an MA in Bible (Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia), a PhD in Humanities (Linguistics & Philosophy, University of Texas, Arlington), and a PhD in Philosophy (Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto). Tom also integrates praxis with thought, serving as a chaplain at Long Term & Residential Care Homes, teaching ESL, helping coordinate services for immigrants, assisting minority language groups overseas with literacy, development, and Bible translation, while helping to train consultants and literacy workers. He has taught mathematics, linguistics, reading theory, orthography design, philosophy, theology, education, qualitative research methods, and language acquisition. His books include Meditation: a Practical Guide to a Spiritual Discipline; 2 books on Nursing Home Ministry; Theories of Reading in Dialogue; Science, Imagination and God; Towards a Christian Philosophy; The Field and the Spirit; Meditation: a Biblical Study. Tom has been working with those in Long Term Care Nursing Homes for more than 40 years and has taught at both graduate and undergraduate institutions, including conducting workshops both in North America and overseas.
FEES
Conference attendance – There will be a $50 fee for attending the conferences only.
Audit – There will be a $100 fee for auditing the module.
Certificate Level – There will be a $150 fee for each module.
Bachelors/Masters Level – Please contact the Word and Spirit Institute for tuition of Bachelor and Masters Courses.
There will an additional cost for the purchase of required reading material.
COURSE SCHEDULE

Biblical Foundations of Ministries with the Aging
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (I)
Aging, Stages of Human Development, and Spirituality
Principles and Practices of Spiritual Care for Seniors (II)
Reaching out: Institutional settings; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Reaching out: The Church and the Community; Families and Caregivers for Seniors
Cultural, Gender, and Religious Diversity; Global Aging

Interested?
Please e-mail wsinstitute@outlook.com for more information, to register and/or to receive the course syllabus
